The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-01
THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Lawler Wishes to Make Prompt Provision
for Sea-Coast Defenses.


for Sea-Coast Defenses.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-Mr. LAWYER of Illi-
nois, offered the following preamble and resolu-
tions:
Whereas The belligerent tone of the Canadian
press and the that Great Britain will
shortly dispatch feet of ships cruise in the
vicinity of our northeastern coastlne indicate hos
tility towards the United States growing out of
position on the fisheries question: and.
Whereas, Admiral Porter has directed attention to
Pacific harbors absolutely defenseess eleven of
them, to-wit New York, San Francisco, Boston, the
lake ports, Hampton Roads New Orleans, Philadel-
phia Washington, Baltimore. Portland, Me-, and the
Rhode Island ports of Narragansett bay in urgent
need of imr1ediate defense; and.
Whereas 1t is alleged that Great Britain and Can
ada in possession of charts and exemplifcations
of all our harbors and coast defenses; therefore,
Resolved, That the President be requested
the House of Representatives, at early day, what
steps. if any, necessary, in his judgment to pro-
vide for this emergency
The resolution was referred.
By Mr. Boutelle, of Maine: A resolution direct
ing the committee on foreign affairs to report
back forthwith the Senate retaliation bill.
By Mr. Lowering of Massachusetts: Resolu-
tions of the Massachusetts Legislature in favor
of the retaliation bill.
By Mr. T. J. Campbell. of New York: A bill in
creasing to $4,000 the salaries of the Supreme
Court justices and the Cabinet officers
By Mr. Grain, of Texas: A resolution propos-
ing constitutional amendments changing ipaueu-
ration day to the last Tuesday in April; provid-
ing that the Fifteth Congress shall terminate
on the 31st of December, 1883. and the Fifty
first Congress shall then begin; and providing
that Senators whose term of Office would not ex-
pire until March 4, 1885, shall continue in Office
until their successors are appointed or elected.
By Mr.. Breckinrdge, of Kentucky: A bill to
incorporate the American Association of the Red
Cross.
By Mr.. McRea. of Arkansas: A bill prohibit
ohn. 81
neys or employees for railroad companies holding
charters or having grants of land or pecuniary
aid from the United States
Mr.. McRea asked for its immediate consider
alton. but Mr.. Parker, of New York, objected.
Mr.. Singleton, of Mississippi, from the COM
mittee on the library, reported back the Senate
concurrent resolution for the appointment of a
joint committee to take into consideration the
expediency of holding an international exhib-
ton in 1892 in commemoration of the discovery
of America Placed on the House calendar.
Mr. Wilkins, of Ohio. from the committee on
banking and currency, reported back adversely
q resolution calling the Secretary of the
Treasury for information as to whether national
banks in New York city recently took action
tending to tighten the money market. Laid on
the table.
The House then went into committee Of the
whole-Mr. Matson, of Indiana, in the chair
on the agricultural appropriation bill
After slight amendment the bill was reported
to the House and passed.
The House then went into committee OF the
whole-Mr. Springer, of Illinois, in the chair
on the bill to consolidate certain bureaus of the
| Navy Department
| Mr. Herbert, of Alabama, explained that tEs
chief object of the bill was consolidate, under
| one head. the bureaus concerned in the building
| and equppng of ships AS an instance of the
| abuse which existed under the present system
| he stated that the construction of the New York
a wooden vessel. was begun in 1864 and the last
stroke of work done upon her was in 1868 Fol
| Thirteen years she lay upon the stocks in Brook
| Ign, and then. in 1881, the Bureau of Steam En-
cheering built boilers for her which remained
to-day in the Washington yard. Under tn,
| pending bill one man would be responsible fo
| construction and engineering. and he would no
start thirteen years after work had been stopped
| upon a vessel to make the boilers for her. If d,
| did, he would deserve to be courtmartaled.
At this point the committee rose and tn
| House adjourned